From Fish Spawning Aggregations to Effective Marine Protected Areas in Brazil

F0248011

BRAZIL – ABROLHOS BANK – 10 APRIL 2011 TO 30 MAY 2013

M.SC. MATHEUS O. FREITAS – TEAM LEADER – UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PARANÁ BIOL. MARILIA PREVIERO – UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL DE MARINGÁ DRA. CAROLINA VIVIANA MINTE-VERA – UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL DE MARINGÁ DR. RONALDO BASTOS FRANCINI-FILHO – UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DA PARAÍBA BIOL. CORAL FORTUNATO – UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO DE JANEIRO BIOL. FERNANDA CERVI

CURRENT ADDRESS: MUSEU DE HISTÓRIA NATURAL CAPÃO DA IMBUIA. LABORATÓRIO DE ICTIOLOGIA. RUA BENEDITO CONCEIÇÃO, 407. CEP: 82810 -080. CURITIBA, PARANÁ, BRAZIL. E-MAIL: SERRANIDAE@GMAIL.COM / WEBSITE: WWW.PEIXESRECIFAIS.ORG

A FINAL REPORT FOR THE CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

September 2013

CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... 3 SECTION 1 1.1 SUMMARY ...... 4 1.2 INTRODUCTION ...... 5 1.3 PROJECT MEMBERS ...... 7

SECTION 2 2.1 AIMS AND OBJECTIVE ...... 10 2.2 METODOLOGY ...... 11 2.2.1 CO-MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES RESOURCES ...... 11 2.2.2 COLLECTION OF BIOLOGICAL DATA OF THREATENED SPECIES……...... 11 2.2.3 MONITORING THE POTENTIAL SPAWNING AGGREGATION SITES OF THE EPINEPHELIDAE AND SNAPPERS ...... 12 2.2.4 COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS FOR DISSEMINATION OF THE RESULTS ...... 12 2.3 OUTPUTS And RESULTS 2.3.1 CO-MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES RESOURCES ...... 12 2.3.2 COLLECTION OF BIOLOGICAL DATA OF THREATENED SPECIES…...... 14 2.3.3 MONITORING THE POTENTIAL SPAWNING AGGREGATION SITES OF THE EPINEPHELIDAE AND SNAPPERS ...... 18 2.3.4 COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS FOR DISSEMINATION OF THE RESULTS…...... 23 2.4 ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACTS……………………………………………………………………………… 24 SECTION 3 3.1 CONCLUSION ...... 24 3.2 PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND LESSONS LEARNT……………………………………………….. 25 3.3 IN THE FUTURE ...... 25 SECTION 4 4.1 REFERENCES ...... 26 4.2 APPENDIX …...... 27

September 2013

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To execute this project we relied on people connected to the fishing industry, such as fishermen and fish markets owners, in the municipalities of Alcobaça, Caravelas and Prado, who permitted the sampling and purchase of specimens. We thank Manoel David de Souza Junior, the crew of Boto Cinza and Cristiane Elfes for their work during the 2012 expedition. We relied also on the support from the Conservation International of Brazil, which provided the biological sampling framework, as well as research grant for a researcher per year. This project also had the following partners Rede Abrolhos-CNPQ (Abrolhos Network-National Council for Scientific and Technological Development), which also provided funding for one research assistant for a year, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Dr. Rodrigo Leão de Moura), Universidade Federal da Paraíba and Universidade Estadual de Maringá, The Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (FUNBIO) and the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), which provided research grants and allowance for the fish sampling.

September 2013

SECTION 1

1.1 SUMMARY

This project, initiated in 2004, resulted in a substantial advance on the biology of major species of groupers and snappers, which are the largest reef fish exploited by fisheries in the Abrolhos Shelf. This follow-up initiative aimed to provide support for the expansion and adaptive co-management of the Abrolhos Bank Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) network, Brazil. Results from the initial award supported proposals for an additional MPA (first one in mangroves) and buffer zones for the two existing coral reef MPAs. As new MPAs are still required and management is needed for those that are already in place, sound scientific knowledge and broad community engagement are imperative, therefore we gathered and disseminated information from fish landing surveys, habitat mapping, and underwater assessments and incorporated local support. These major targets were achieved with a strong participation of community members in all phases of the project, from research to policy-making. The data collected also provided the basis for capacity- building activities carried out with our partners. The beneficiaries of this effort since 2005 include four undergraduate Biology students, three Masters students in Zoology and Ecology, and one Ph.D. candidate, whose projects included aspects of the ecology of several species of snappers and groupers in Abrolhos.

September 2013

5 1.2 INTRODUCTION

The Abrolhos Bank is located in Bahia state, on the Brazilian central coast. It is delimited by the enlargement of the continental shelf that extends up to 120 nautical miles from the South American continent. The largest South Atlantic coral reefs complex is situated in Abrolhos Bank, as well as extensive rhodolith beds, mangroves, estuaries, and sandbanks (Amado-Filho et al., 2012; Moura et al., 2013) (Fig. 1). This extensive environmental variety provides habitats for a large diversity of species, and 20% of the fish species are endemic to the region (Moura & Francini-Filho, 2005). In southern Bahia, the artisanal fisheries are traditional activities. However, in recent decades they have been replaced by large-scale fisheries (Paiva & Fontelles-Filho, 1995). In that time, buyers’ preference for reef fish and crustaceans has increased and lead to the opening of new Brazilian and international markets. Over the last decades, fisheries targeting reef resources have been attracting fishers from other Brazilian states, who have increased the exploitation rates of these species in the Abrolhos Bank.

To conserve fish stocks and local small-scale fisheries, protected areas have been created, such as the Abrolhos National Park and the Extractive Reserves of Cassurubá and Corumbau. Such management measures, however, have been insufficient to keep the species exploitation rates at sustainable levels. Additional management measures are needed for this, based on scientific evidence, at the species or species group level. Yet, biological and ecological knowledge for informing management is scarce =. In order to manage the region’s most common fisheries—which target groupers, snappers, parrotfishes, and one species of shark (Freitas, 2009)—the gathering of biological and ethnobiological data is required, including basic information concerning the existence, location and timing of spawning aggregations. These results, when properly disseminated, could base management measures, such as gear and size restrictions or fishing constraints at particular times and places.

Additionally, when performing scientific studies that include fisher partners, it is expected that the results be better understood by the community and more likely to be incorporated in localmanagement rulesIt is also expected that those management measures be more effective and easily accepted by the fishermen who participated in the data collection and in the results dissemination process (Berkes et al., 2001). Also, by collaborating with local fishers, the researchers are more likely to propose questions grounded on local reality and knowledge. To perform this project, we relied on people connected to the fishing industry, such as fishermen and fish market owners, in the municipalities of Alcobaça, Caravelas and Prado, who allowed for the sampling and purchase of specimens. We relied also on the support from the Conservation International of Brazil, who provided the biological sampling framework, as well as a yearly grant for a researcher. Additional partners of this project include the Rede Abrolhos-CNPQ (Abrolhos Network-National Council for Scientific and Technological Development), who also provided funding for one research assistant for a year, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, The Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (FUNBIO) and the Coordenação de

September 2013

6 Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), who provided research grants and an allowance for fish sampling.

Figure 1. Abrolhos Bank location, the municipalities studied and marine protected areas.

September 2013

7 1.3 PROJECT MEMBERS

Name: Matheus Oliveira Freitas Occupation: Ph.D. Candidate Project Role: Principal Investigator

I'm 33 years old, biologist and started my carrier in Marine Conservation in 2004, working with goliath groupers in south Brazil. In 2005 I started working on fisheries and ecology of endangered and commercially important reef fishes in Abrolhos, with fellowship at Marine Program - Conservation International Brazil from 2005 to 2007. I concluded my master degree with fishing and reproduction biology of lane snapper. Now I am pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Ecology and Conservation at the Federal University of Paraná - UFPR, working with groupers ecology. I am a member of the Rede Abrolhos ("Abrolhos Network"), and I also coordinate research and outreach projects sponsored by the Conservation Leadership Programme - CLP, focused on reef fish spawning aggregations and Marine Protected Areas. Currently I’m the president of Meros do Brasil Institute and coordinate the activities of fisheries biology from this project along the Brazilian coast.

Name: Marília Previero Occupation: Master Degree Student Project Role: Biological component

I did a degree in Biological Sciences in Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Paraná (UEM). During this course I work with fishes and fishers of the Abrolhos Bank region, when I studied the age and growth (Lutjanidae), and ethnobiology. After graduated I was scholarship from the Brazilian Biodiversity Fund, working with Conservation International of Brazil, with reef fish spawning aggregations, and biological sampling of reef fishes. I am currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Ecology of Continental Aquatic Environments, in UEM. My dissertation project is on age and growth, and fisheries of the blue-parrotfish Scarus trispinosus (Scaridae). My role in this project is to interview fishers about the spawning aggregations sites and do biological sampling of this study focus species.

September 2013

8 Name: Coral Fortunato Occupation: Master Degree Student Project Role: Biological component

I was graduated in Biological Sciences at the Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia in 2010. I am currently pursuing a MSc Degree in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. In my research, I try to understand the functional roles of sea urchins in Brazilian reefs, carrying out a series of experiments in the Abrolhos Reefs, off Bahia. I do manipulations of urchins in isolated patch reefs and watch their nocturnal feeding behavior with time-lapse cameras. I also collaborate with Nicole Lellys, Ronaldo Francini- Filho, Fernando Gibran, Marília Previero and Matheus Freitas in a parrotfish biology project.

Name: Fernanda Cervi Occupation: Biologist Project Role: Biological component

I graduated in Biological Sciences from the Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), Paraná, Brazil, in early 2012, with experience in fisheries ecology in Marine Protected Areas belonging to the Abrolhos Bank. In the same year I started living in Caravelas, Bahia, and with support from Rede Abrolhos, I began fieldwork with reef fishes of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Abrolhos Bank, collaborating with Nicole Lellys, Ronaldo Francini-Filho, Fernando Gibran, Marília Previero and Matheus Oliveira Freitas in the “Parrotfish Project”, and integrating me into the Rede Abrolhos ("Network Abrolhos") and Conservation Leardership Programme (CLP). I currently hold a scholarship from Rede Abrolhos- CNPq to perform the biological sampling.

Name: Dr. Ronaldo Bastos Francini-Filho Occupation: Professor on Universidade Federal da Paraíba Project Role: Biological component

I have a Ph.D. degree from the Universidade de São Paulo- USP, and I am an Associate Professor at the Universidade Federal da Paraíba - UFPB in Rio Tinto, Paraíba State. I coordinate the long term underwater monitoring of the Abrolhos Network ("Rede Abrolhos"), in which several of my students are engaged.I am also an underwater photographer.

September 2013

9 I collaborate with the CLP project in several projects in Abrolhos, oceanic islands and seamounts, deep sea, fish biology, and outreach.

Name: Dra. Carolina Viviana Minte-Vera Occupation: Professor at Universidade Estadual de Maringá Project Role: Biological component

I have a Ph.D. degree from the School of Fishery and Aquatic Sciences, of the University of Washington. Currently I am an assistant professor at the State University of Maringa and Senior Scientist at the Inter American Tropical Tuna Commission. I am supervising Ph.D. and master students at the Graduate Ecology Program (PEA) of the State University of Maringa, as well as undergraduate student, some of them involved with research in the Abrolhos Bank. I regularly teach graduate courses in Quantitative Ecology, have participated in several national and international working groups about fisheries management and fish conservation.

September 2013

10 SECTION 2

2.1 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

This initiative aimed to provide support for the expansion of adaptive co-management of the Abrolhos Bank MPA network and fishing management. Results from the initial award supported proposals for an additional MPA (the first one in mangroves) and buffer zones for the two existing coral reef MPAs. As new MPAs are still required, and adaptive management must be based on sound scientific information and broad community enrolment, we gathered and disseminated data from fish landing surveys, habitat mapping, and underwater assessments. The objectives were: (1) to co-manage fisheries’ resources, based on the results of some biological species and focusing on community involvement in decision making; (2) to continue the processing and collection of biological data of threatened species, including Scaridae species and large sharks caught by artisanal fishing in the region; (3) to monitor and compare the potential spawning aggregation sites of the groupers and snappers, based on data previously collected about peak capture by fleets, spawning peaks, and interviews with fishermen; and (4) to implement a major campaign for dissemination of the results obtained to all fishing communities in the Abrolhos Bank through shirts, adhesive rules

and banners.

September 2013

centralized in the ports of the Alcobaça and 2.2 METHODOLOGY Caravelas municipalities (Fig. 1). The species Scarus trispinosus, Sparisoma amplum, 2.2.1 Co-management of fisheries resources Lutjanus analis, Haemulum plumieri and Anisotremus virginicus were sampled By actively participating in the creation and monthly. Epinephelus morio, Mycteroperca establishment of MPAs in the region of the bonaci and Ocyurus chrysurus were Abrolhos Bank, we facilitated the discussion sampled only in the months corresponding of our research findings at regional MPA to their reproductive season, which was council meetings and the further previously determined for the region by incorporation of our results into the local Freitas et al. (2011). The species management guidelines. Dermatolepis inermis, Mycteroperca intertitialis and M. venenosa were sampled Meetings and workshops with fishermen whenever available, due to the high and managers of marine protected areas in commercial value and low frequency of the region were carried out. At those these species in fish landings. meetings, the estimates of size at 50% maturity (L50), available from the study of To obtain samples of the Epinephelidae and Freitas et al. (2011), were presented to Lutjanidae species, the specimens were stakeholders, along with information about bought and taken to the laboratory, where the relevance of this knowledge as a tool the biological material was removed before for fisheries management in the region. The the specimens were resold in regional presentations and discussions were held in trade. For the species of the family Scaridae the cities of Caravelas (Cassurubá Extractive (Scarus trispinosus and Sparisoma amplum) Reserve), Porto Seguro and Prado samples were taken from carcasses (Corumbau Marine Extractive Reserve). In donated by fishermen. These fish were each MPA, the information was discussed filleted before sale, and the carcasses— within management councils, which voted containing the head, skeleton and viscera— on the need and importance of were donated for research at no cost to the implementing minimum catch sizes for the team. Some individual specimens were main species of reef fishes of the region. weighed before filleting for further correction and correlation of carcass weight 2.2.2 Collection of biological data of to total weight. The lengths of specimens of threatened species S. trispinosus were measured during landings in the Alcobaça and Caravelas Between April 2011 and March 2013, data municipalities. regarding commercially important reef fish and species classified as endangered by All specimens were measured to the IUCN was collected and added to the nearest mm for total length (TL), sexed, and biological data obtained by the project weighed to the nearest 0.1 g for total initiated in 2004 through the partnership of weight (TW) and gonad weight (Wg). the CLP, Conservation International's Maturity was macroscopically determined Marine Program Brazil, FUNBIO and from gonad size, consistency, color, Abrolhos Network. Data collection was vascularization, and presence of lateral

September 2013

12 sperm sinuses, ovarian cavity, ovarian These interviews were conducted by means lamellae, and identifiable oocytes (Colin et of semi-structured questionnaires, with al., 2003). Five developmental phases were spaces for additional information. used, according to Brow-Peterson et al. Fishermen who use hook-and-line, gillnets, (2011) and García-Cagide et al. (2001). long lines, or harpoon were interviewed (Fig. 2). In addition to the reproductive data, stomachs and otoliths were collected for 2.2.4 COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS FOR further studies of diet, age, and growth. A DISSEMINATION OF THE RESULTS collection protocol for obtaining biological samples of large sharks was also We adapted the communication strategies implemented—in this case, without much according to the culture of the region and success, as the sharks most often arrive into organized different educational materials, port decapitated and eviscerated, which such as t-shirts and adhesive rules and precludes the collection of biological drawings for printing. We held lectures in samples. fishing communities, and also produced and maintained a website of the project. 2.2.3 Monitoring the potential spawning aggregation sites of the Epinephelidae and Lutjanidae species.

Vessel surveys expeditions and interviews with fishermen were done in three municipalities along the Abrolhos Bank (Prado, Alcobaça and Caravelas). The methodological approach followed the standard procedures developed by the Society for the Conservation of Reef Fish Aggregations, described in greater detail in the “Manual for the Study and Conservation Figure 2. Researcher makes an interview of Reef Fish Spawning Aggregations” (Colin with fisherman in Abrolhos Bank. et al., 2003). Three seasonal fisheries- independent cruises (in full-moon lunar cycle) were used to sample biological data 2.3 OUTPUTS AND RESULTS in situ and to map potential spawning aggregation sites. Interviews with 2.3.1 Co-management of fisheries resources fishermen considered local experts were conducted between June until August 2011. Between April 2011 and March 2013, a total Questions about the ecology of the most of 494 fishermen and stakeholders important species in the fisheries of the attended the workshops held in the fishing region, as well as the reproductive communities of the Abrolhos Bank. We behaviour of these species, were posed to focused on the participation of two types of the fishermen to ascertain the existence meetings: the deliberative council meetings and locations of spawning aggregations.

September 2013

13 of the Marine Extractive Reserves (MER) management measure within this MER. In and general meetings with fishermen (Table Cassurubá MER, the opposite occurred: in a 1). In meetings with deliberative councils, few meetings dealing with this issue, the we discussed the implementation of establishment of minimum size limit for fisheries management measures proposed catch was discussed and voted on as a for Abrolhos, such as the maintenance and management tool by fishermen and expansion of marine-protected areas and managers. After going through the the establishment of minimum catch size deliberative council vote, an fishing limits for the main species of reef fish agreement, or Acordos de Pesca in (Figure 3, 4). Portuguese, was adopted, which establishes minimum size for catches with spearfishing of Lutjanus synagris, L. jocu, Ocyurus chrysurus, Epinephelus morio, Mycteroperca bonaci and Cephalopholis fulva. Moreover, several other regulatory instruments of fishing activities were established, such as the prohibition of some fishing gears and the demarcation of fishing areas. More information about the fishing rules and regulations of the Cassuruba MER agreement are in Appendix II (only in Figure 3. CLP project member performing a lecture in the Corumbau ER deliberative council. Portuguese). Artisanal small-scale fisheries are particularly difficult to assess and With regard to marine protected areas, we manage, although they can have a strong participated in the discussions of expansion impacts, on reef ecosystems by reducing and establishment of No-Take Areas in the the population size of its target species and fishing communities of Corumbau EMR. In affecting ecological processes (Roberts, addition, we offered information about 1995; Hawkins & Roberts, potential sites for the occurrence of 2004). spawning aggregations and participated in the proposed extension of the Abrolhos Marine National Park and the establishment of other conservation units in the area. However, these proposals have stalled due to non-coordination and the social policy of the Brazilian government, which ran over the expansion process, which eventually hindered the proposal. 13

Figure 4. Group photo taken during a workshop in The proposal of minimum size limit based the Cumuruxatiba fish community, at Corumbau on the L50 in Corumbau MER was MER. thoroughly discussed between the deliberative council and fishermen’s. This measure has not been adopted as a

September 2013

Table 1. Number and activities conduced in Abrolhos Bank during the implementation of the project. Activity Quantity Participants & Stakeholders (No.) Engaged (No.) Extractive Reserves Deliberative Council Meetings Corumbau MER Deliberative Council 4 120 Meetings Cassuruba MER Deliberative Council 2 64 Meetings Workshops Corumbau MER 5 110 Cassurubá MER 1 40 Caravelas 12 160

2.3.2 Collection of biological data of more of the Sparisoma amplum and Scarus threatened species trispinosus, which are key species for maintenance of coral reefs; yet, there was Tropical reef fish stocks of commercially no biological information for the South important species are being steadily Atlantic. overfished worldwide (Jennings & Polunin, 1996; Pauly et al., 2002). Although A total of 2354 specimens of S. trispinosus successful strategies for managing these were measured, showing a slight difference resources depend on the interaction between the municipalities. In Caravelas, between highly heterogeneous social, sampled specimens ranged from 28 to 55 political, and economic factors, they cannot cm (Total Length TL) with mean of 39 cm, refrain from strong biological and ecological while the variation in Alcobaça was 32 to 85 background to guide decision-making cm TL with a mean of 58 cm (Fig. 5). The (McClanahan & Castilla, 2007). differences in landed sizes reflect the fishing grounds were each fleets operate. A total of 1420 fish were sampled from 32 The Caravelas fleet operates in shallow species (Table 2). This resulted in a reefs (depths up to 25 meter, while the substantial contribution for the biological Alcobaça fleet operates in remote areas studies on age, growth, reproduction, and (depths up to 40 meters), often with the feeding of the species targeted by regional use of illegal fishing gear such as air fisheries. A detailed list of the data compressors, which allow for longer bottom collected, organized by biological species, is time (Fig. 6). in Table 3. Among the species sampled are

September 2013

90 Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range

Total Length (cm) Total

20 ALCOBAÇA CARAVELAS Sampling Place

Figure 5. Box-plot of total length of Scarus trispinosus captured by commercial spearfishing in the municipalities of Alcobaça, Caravelas, Bahia.

Figure 6. Underwater fisherman preparing to dive with the help of air compressor. (Photo: Manoel David).

September 2013

Table 3. Number of specimens per species sampled in the region of the Abrolhos Bank, Bahia. Sampling place Species Alcobaça Caravelas Prado Scientific Expedition Total Anisotremus virginicus 54 86 0 1 141 Bodianus rufus 2 0 1 0 3 Carcharhinus leucas 0 2 0 0 2 Caranx hippos 0 1 0 0 1 Caranx lattus 0 2 0 0 2 Cephalopholis fulva 2 2 0 0 4 Chaetodipterus faber 0 6 0 0 6 Dermatolepis inermis 23 0 0 0 23 Epinephelus itajara 1 0 0 0 1 Epinephelus adscensionis 0 0 1 0 1 Epinephelus morio 9 7 0 2 18 Haemulon aurolineatum 0 3 0 11 14 Haemulon parra 3 0 0 0 3 Haemulon plumieri 84 76 0 20 180 Halicheroes brasiliensis 0 2 0 0 2 Lutjanus analis 39 1 0 0 40 Lutjanus cyanopterus 0 1 1 0 2 Lutjanus jocu 1 8 0 1 10 Lutjanus synagris 0 0 0 8 8 Mycteroperca bonaci 18 14 2 0 34 Mycteroperca interstitialis 11 0 0 0 11 Mycteroperca venenosa 24 2 0 0 26 Ocyurus chrysurus 0 0 0 20 20 Priacanthus arenatus 0 0 0 3 3 Rhomboplites aurorubens 0 0 0 1 1 Scarus trispinosus 483 249 0 0 732 Scarus zelindae 0 8 0 0 8 Scomberomorus brasiliensis 0 0 0 0 0 Selene vomer 0 4 0 0 4 Sparisoma amplum 92 24 0 0 116 Sparisoma frondosum 0 3 0 0 3 Sphyraena barracuda 0 0 0 1 1 Total 846 501 5 68 1420

September 2013

Table 4. Number of structures per species collected between April 2011 and March 2013 in the region of the Abrolhos Bank, Bahia. Collected structures Species Gonads Stomach Otolith Spine Ray Anisotremus virginicus 141 141 141 Bodianus rufus 3 3 3 Carcharhinus leucas 2 2 Caranx hippos 1 1 1 Caranx lattus 2 2 2 Cephalopholis fulva 4 4 4 3 Chaetodipterus faber 6 6 6 Dermatolepis inermis 22 22 22 18 Epinephelus adscensionis 1 1 1 Epinephelus itajara 1 1 1 1 Epinephelus morio 18 18 16 12 1 Haemulon aurolineatum 14 14 14 Haemulon parra 3 3 3 Haemulon plumieri 180 180 180 Halicheroes brasiliensis 2 2 2 Lutjanus analis 40 40 40 Lutjanus cyanopterus 2 2 2 1 Lutjanus jocu 10 10 10 1 Lutjanus synagris 8 8 8 Mycteroperca bonaci 34 34 34 23 Mycteroperca interstitialis 10 10 10 Mycteroperca venenosa 25 25 25 5 1 Ocyurus chrysurus 20 20 20 Priacanthus arenatus 3 3 3 Rhomboplites aurorubens 1 1 1 Scarus trispinosus 732 0 699 1 Scarus zelindae 8 0 7 Scomberomorus brasiliensis 1 1 Selene vomer 4 4 4 Sparisoma amplum 116 0 103 Sparisoma frondosum 3 0 3 Sphyraena barracuda 1 1 1 Total 1418 1417 1366 65 2

September 2013

Regarding the collection of biological data for sharks, we had no satisfactory results. Only one sample of tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) was obtained during the project. The common landing procedure of sharks hinders data collection about the reproductive and feeding of these species (even species identification in some cases). Unlike other species, sharks are eviscerated, decapitated, and have their fins separated from their bodies while still on deck. When a shark arrives into port, only the body, or “cigar” (charuto as it is popularly known), is Figure 7. Body of tiger shark, gutted and head landed (Fig. 7). Repeated attempts to landed on Caravelas, Abrolhos Bank (Photo: Danielle Marinho Nobre). convince fishermen to land the whole fish, or even the viscera, were unsuccessful.

Therefore, we believe that only research 2.3.3 Monitoring of the potential spawning expeditions or onboard observers travelling aggregation sites of the Groupers, Snappers along with the fishermen will have access to and Scarids. this biological material of sharks in the Abrolhos. In a recently published study by Bornatowski et al. (2012), the authors indicate that the abundance of humpback From March 12–25th, 2012 an expedition whale carcasses available over the Abrolhos sampling directed through fishing and bank, mainly during the breeding season, underwater observations over the Abrolhos may be an important seasonal component Bank was held. During this period, several of shark diets. The authors report that dives in local potential aggregation sites of carcasses of the humpback whale and other large snappers were performed in order to species comprised 22.3% and 20.8% of the diet of large sharks, respectively. These data record the presence of spawners or suggest that efforts aimed at collecting reproductive morphological features such biological sharks should be prioritized as swollen abdomens or increased staining between the months of May and patterns. During these dives, however, no November, which is the breeding season of characteristic features of spawning or humpback whales in Abrolhos. spawning aggregation was observed or recorded. In addition to the dives, the areas were examined with the aid of video images obtained by a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) with a range of 100 m depth (Fig. 8). This expedition allowed the mapping and characterization of substrates that assisted

September 2013

19 in the composition of the new map of Mega Habitats in Abrolhos by Moura et al. (2013).

Figure 10. POF of specimen of Rhomboplites aurorubens collected during the expedition Figure 8. Researcher operating the ROV to onboard in March 2012, in south of search spawning aggregations and Abrolhos Bank. characterization of the substrate (Photo: João Batista Teixeira). A second expedition to search for potential sites of spawning aggregations was held By targeting fisheries, we collected various between August 29 and September 8, 2012. biological samples of commercial species This field campaign, conducted in two work (Table 05). We recorded the second fronts—one aboard ships (Fig. 11) and important result: specimens of another in the ports of fish landings — Rhomboplites aurorubens (Fig. 09) and collected, in partnership with local Ocyurus chrysurus were recorded in an fishermen, 24 samples of large groupers advanced stage of gonadal maturation, and and snappers over four days (Table 05) (Fig. histological results revealed the presence of 12). In the histological analysis samples of Pós Ovulatory Follicle’s (POFs), which are Epinephelus morio, Mycteroperca bonaci, considered a direct indication of recent and Cephalopholis fulva POFs were spawning (Colin et al., 2003 ) (Fig. 10). observed, which characterized the area as a spawning ground. During this expedition, oceanographic conditions prohibited dives and visual observations of fish. The locations where the samples were taken are in Figure 13. Concurrently, another strategy was established to obtain data from fishing areas via the collection of biological material in Alcobaça, the largest fishing port in the region. In this port, a total of 53 samples of large reef fish were collected. The samples collected indicated imminent Figure 9. Specimen of Rhomboplites spawning, by hydrated oocytes or recent aurorubens collected during the expedition POFs, for the species C. fulva, E. morio, M. onboard in March 2012, in south of venenosa, M. bonaci, and Dermatolepis Abrolhos Bank. inermis.

September 2013

depths below 25 meters and near the Analyzing, integrating, and comparing the continental shelf. Two spawning peaks, one results of biological samples collected by from August–October and another from the team since 2004, we corroborate and January–April were observed for all species, strengthen the information contained in except for R. aurorubens, which has a Freitas et al. (2011), which indicates that for reproductive period from January to April, Epinephelidae (E. morio, M. bonaci, M. peaking in February/March. The areas venenosa, D. inermis, and C. fulva) the evaluated as potential sites for the reproductive cycle occurs between the occurrence of spawning aggregations were months of July to September, with a peak of located in south of the Abrolhos Bank for spawning in August. The spawning species O. chrysurus and R. aurorubens, and aggregation areas, as indicated by the Local the north and northeast along the Ecological Knowledge and by direct continental shelf for the other species (Fig. histological and scientific evidence obtained 11). in the specimens, are located in the Northern part of the Abrolhos Bank, at

Table 05. Number of species collected in Spawning aggregations between March 2012 and March 2013 in the region of the Abrolhos Bank, Bahia. Spawning aggregations expedtions On board Landing Ports Species March March Alcobaça port August/September 2012 August 2012 2013 2012 Epinephelus morio 2 2 5 7 Mycteroperca bonaci 14 1 16 Mycteroperca venenosa 11 Mycteroperca interstistialis Dermatolepis inermis 1 Cephalopholis fulva 2 2 Lutjanus synagris 8 11 Lutjanus analis 3 Lutjanus jocu 1 1 13 Lutjanus cyanopterus 1 Ocyurus chrysurus 20 12 Rhomboplites aurolineatum 1 0 Haemulum plumieri 20 11 Haemulum aurolineatum 1-1 12 Scarus trispinosus 3 8 16 Sparisoma amplum 1 1

Through interviews with fishermen, we Epinephelus morio showed direct obtained the names of fishes and the correlation between the peaks of approximate locations of fishing. No reproduction from fishers' knowledge and correlations were found by comparing data scientific research (Table 6). We believe from fishermen with indicative direct that the fishermen’s inability to identify the spawning of fishes. Only species breeding seasons of fish results from the

September 2013

21 procedure of handling and fish processing. viscera on deck. For that reason, fishermen In the early 90s, the fish export trade was no longer process the commercial fish established in the Abrolhos region. This themselves and, consequently, no longer trade requires that fish reach the fishing visually identify mature gonads, which are landing without scale or skin damage, and usually evident upon opening the fish. without processing and removal of the

Figure 11. CLP team and fishermen’s aboard ships in the expedition to search spawning aggregations in Abrolhos Bank. (Photo: Carolina Minte-Vera).

Figure 12. CLP team colleting biological data in lab to spawning aggregations research in Abrolhos Bank. (Photo: Carolina Minte-Vera)

September 2013

Figure 13. Locations of fish collected during sampling of fisheries landings. Fishing spots where fish were collected on a scientific expedition and fishing spots that indicate the fishing "Mar da Fita", according to the fishermen in the Abrolhos Bank , Bahia.

September 2013

Table 6. Spawning seasons (X) and times easier to catch each species (in gray) according to the fishermen interviewed in the municipalities of Alcobaça, Caravelas and Prado, Bahia state. Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Cephalopholis fulva X X X X X Dermatolepis inermis X X X X X X X X X Epinephelus morio X X Lutjanus analis X X X X X Lutjanus bucanella X X X X Lutjanus jocu X X X X X X X Lutjanus synagris X X X X X X X X Lutjanus vivanus X X X X Mycteroperca bonaci X X X X X X X X X Mycteroperca intertitialis X X Mycteroperca venenosa X X Ocyurus chrysurus X X X X X X X Paranthias furcifer X X Scarus trispinosus X X X X

during the project. Two hundredadhesive Another important result of this project was strips with drawings of a scale and the professional and academic capacity indication of the the length at 50% maturity building. Since 2005, several researchers (suggested as minimum sizes) of key species have accessed and studied the biological of reef fish were distributed in fishing data collected by the CLP project in communities. The scales were made of partnership with other institutions. The list high-strength material so that they could be of researchers, master's and doctoral fixed by fishermen in their boats where degrees related scientific publications are they could aid in measurement and available in Appendix I. consequently, the release of fish below the 2.3.4 Campaign to disseminate the results required measurement. In addition to the boats, the rulers were placed in other Successful implementation of management places of great movement of fishers. arrangements in traditional communities ultimately depends on the sociocultural conditions of the communities and their In addition, a total of 300 T-shirts with understanding and adherence to the rules pictures of the ruler and size at 50% (Busilacchi et al., 2012). Management may maturity of the fish, along with the phrase be more difficult in traditional communities "I respect, and you?" were widely that depend on catches below the L50 for distributed in fishing communities. This their survival, as is the case for many proved to be a very effective way of communities in the Abrolhos Bank. incorporating and building awareness, and Based on this, three main types of several times fishermen were noticed educational materials were produced

September 2013

24 commenting on information contained in fish spawning events. The approach that we the shirts (See Appendix III). are proposing has great potential to provide a key input to governmental decision- In addition, ten banners containing making and conservation-planning in information of breeding seasons and L50 Abrolhos. sizes were made and used in lectures and workshops. The project page has been The legacy of the initiative encompasses created and made available on the site three major dimensions. The first one www.peixesrecifais.org. On this website, includes the contribution for capacity the main activities of the project are building, professional development and available and summarized, as well as career advancement of several young photos, contact and vita of the CLP team researchers that are involved with marine members, project partners, and the list of research and conservation in an important scientific publications generated by the and frequently neglected coastal country. project. Second, the project will represent a landmark in community participation in the decision-making process in Abrolhos MPAs, being capable of fostering a long-term 2.4 ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACTS adaptive management scheme for the entire region. Finally, as already achieved

during the first award, the project’s results Abrolhos represents a highly threatened will support new MPA establishments in and extremely rich area in the South Abrolhos. Atlantic. Fisheries are the central activity for thousands of people, and coastal and marine management is dependent upon a SECTION 3: MPA network that is not yet fully designed and implemented. The current project 3.1 CONCLUSION envisages a scaled-up and innovative approach to address these challenges, being integrated with major research and conservation efforts. The project provided In general, we believe that the original new information about reproductive cycles, objectives have been achieved. We spawning, and growth parameters of the managed to take a significant step forward main commercially important reef fishes in collecting biological information of the found in Abrolhos. Research of the scale main fish species threatened in the region, proposed here will provide information that and these data will provide the basis for may be used in concert with results of other proposing strategies for management and studies to pursue conservation outcomes. conservation in Abrolhos and the Brazilian Translated into everyday language, this coast. information can also be used by local Furthermore, because of the long-term populations to inform their opinions on engagement that we have had with the resource use and management. It is fishermen in the region since 2005, the noteworthy that local fisheries strategies of co-management began to bear management strategies have rarely fruits. Through biological information accounted for the concentrated nature of generated was possible to increase the

September 2013

25 awareness of fishers and to create During project development two factors management mechanisms (such as were key. One was the need to purchase establishing minimum sizes catch of fishes) the fish studied. This was the only way we in different MERs in the region. Another found to obtain biological samples. Because exciting point includes the emergence of the species we work are of high commercial further discussions, in other fishing value, we had to apply for extra funding communities in Abrolhos, of the need for opportunities to get enough resources for establishing a management strategy. the purchase of these samples. The procedure we adopted was to buy the The knowledge about local spawning specimens, take biological samples and aggregation was increased; surely this then to sell the fish. information will provide the basis for the establishment of new marine protected The other problem was the relationship areas and the expansion of the existing in with the fishing communities. In many the Abrolhos Bank. communities the fishers did not support research activities and, in many cases, Based on the successes of—and mistakes omitted or made it difficult to obtain made during—the execution of the project, reliable data. In order to rsolve this we will draft a new proposal for the problem, the researchers were constantly continuation of our activities. We know that present within communities. This presence changing lifestyles and habits only bear fruit over time broke the barriers of when the partnership is maintained with communication between fishers and key stakeholders in the long term. researchers, resulting in the development of friendly relationships and trust that remains today within the fishing 3.2 PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND communities. LESSONS LEARNT

The most important lessons learned were associated with project organization and The only problem we encountered during planning. During the project these issues the project implementation was related to were well handled, and were very helpful the currency rates of exchange. When we during the project implementation and made the project budget, the dollar execution of correct planned activities. exchange rate was around 1.75 Brazilian real. When we received the money from the CLP, the value was the lowest level in ten years, around 1.54. Because this 3.3 IN THE FUTURE resulted in a significant loss, we had to adapt our budget. No change was made in the project, though, in relation to the budget that was originally proposed, To learning from mistakes, to improve the because the loss was compensated with the successes, and to not get discouraged is the approval of other grant funds. motto of our team. Since the beginning of our conservation activities, spawning aggregations and ecology of reef fish Abrolhos in 2005, several lessons were

September 2013

26 learned. One is that the work of Tropical South West Atlantic. Plos One, 7(4), environmental information and exchange of 5-10. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0035171. information with fishermen has to be constant. Therefore, we cannot stop our Berkes, F., Mahon, R. Mcconney, P., Pollnac, activities and find that somehow the R. and Pomeroy, R. (2001). Managing small- problems are resolved. We have many scale fisheries: alternative directions and unanswered questions, and strategies for methods. Ottawa, Canada: International action plans for several species need to be Development Research Centre. 309 p. implemented. A greater effort must be Bornatowski, H., Wedekin, L.L., Heithaus, deployed in the case of large sharks, which M.R., Marcondes, M.CC. and Rossi-Santos, was a weak point during the course of the M.R. (2012). Shark scavenging and project. New methodologies and ways of predation on cetaceans at Abrolhos Bank, approaching the fishermen must be eastern Brazil. Journal of the Marine developed, including onboard observations. Biological Association of the UK (Online), v. We also need to follow-up the analysis and 92, p. 1767-1772. publication of collected data regarding fish Brown-Peterson, N.J., Wyansky, D.M., biology: reproduction, age, growth, and Saborido-Rey, F., Macewicz, B. J. and diet. Furthermore, we would like to Lowerre-Barbieri, S.K. (2011). A propose easy-to-implement methodologies standardized terminology for describing and inexpensive means of evaluating the reproductive development in fishes. Marine status of fish stocks (especially endangered and Coastal Fisheries, 3, 52–70. doi: species). A program of fisheries data 10.1080/19425120.2011.555724. collection (catch per unit effort, production, fish size, etc.) must indeed be established in Busilacchi S., Williams A.J., Russ G.R. and Abrolhos. Begg G.A. (2012). Complexity of applying minimum legal sizes (MLS) of retention in We will spare no efforts in the search for an indigenous coral reef fishery. Fisheries new funding resources and partners to Management and Ecology, 19, 233–244. assure that these activities are actually implemented, so that an efficient and Colin P.L., Sadovy Y. and Domeier M.L. participatory conservation program is (2003) Manual for the study and established in Abrolhos. conservation of reef fish spawning aggregations. Society for the Conservation of Reef Fish Aggregations, Special Publication. 102p. SECTION 4 Freitas M.O. (2009). Pesca artesanal e 4.1 REFERENCES biologia reprodutiva do ariocó Lutjanus synagris (Lutjanidae) no Banco dos Amado-Filho G.M., Moura R.L., Bastos A.C., Abrolhos. Dissertação de mestrado. Salgado L.T., Sumida P.Y., Guth A.Z., Programa de Pós-Graduação em Sistemas Francini-Filho R.B., Pereira-Filho G.H., Aquáticos Tropicais da Universidade Abrantes D.P., Brasileiro P.S., Bahia R.G., Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia. Pp. Leal R.N., Kaufman L., Kleypas J.A., Farina 116. M. and Thompson F.L. (2012) Rhodolith Beds Are Major CaCO 3 Bio-Factories in the

September 2013

27 Freitas M.O., Moura R.L., Francini-Filho R.B. Arquivos de Ciências do Mar, Fortaleza, and Minte-Vera C.V. (2011). Spawning v.29, p. 36-41. patterns of commercially important reef fishes (Lutjanidae and Serranidae) in the Pauly D., Christensen V., Guénette S., tropical Western South Atlantic. Scientia Pitcher T.J., Sumaila U.R., Walters C.J., Marina, 75, 135-146. Watson R. and Zeller D. (2002) Towards sustainability in World Fisheries. Nature, García-Cagide A., Claro R. and Koshelev B.V. 418, 689-695. (2001) Reproductive patterns of fishes of the Cuban shelf. In Claro R., Lindeman K.C. Roberts C.M. (1995) Effects of fishing on the and Parenti L.R. (eds) Ecology of the marine ecossystem structure of coral reefs. fishes of Cuba. Smithsonian Institution Conservation Biology, 9, 988-995 Press, Washington, pp. 71-102. 4.1 APPENDIX Hawkins J.P. and Roberts C.M. (2004) Effects of artisanal fishing on Caribbean APPENDIX I coral reefs. Conservation Biology, 18, 215- 226. Publications that resulted from the research funded by the CLP. Jennings S. and Polunin N.V.C. (1996) Impacts of fishing on tropical reef Freitas, M.O.; Moura, R.L.; Francini-Filho, R. ecosystems. Ambio, 25, 44-49. B.; Minte-Vera, C.V. 2011. Spawning patterns of commercially important reef McClanahan T. and Castilla J.C. (2007) fish (Lutjanidae and Serranidae) in the Fisheries management: Progress towards tropical western South Atlantic. Scientia sustainability. Blackwell Publ. Co, 332p. Marina 75: 135 - 146.

Moura, R. L., Secchin, N.A., Amado-Filho, Previero, M.; Minte-Vera, C.V.; Freitas, G.M., Francini-Filho, R.B, Freitas, M.O., M.O.; Moura, R.L.; Tos, C.D. 2011. Age and Minte-Vera, C.V., Teixeira, J.B., Thompson, growth of the dog snapper Lutjanus jocu F.L., Dutra, G.F., Sumida, PY.G., Güth, A.Z., (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) in Abrolhos Bank, Lopes, R.M., and Bastos, A.C. (2013) Spatial Northeastern Brazil. Neotropical patterns of benthic megahabitats and Ichthyology, 9:2. conservation planning in the Abrolhos Bank. Continental Shelf Research, In press. Freitas, M.O.; Abilhoa, V.; Costa e Silva. G.H. 2011. Feeding ecology of Lutjanus analis Moura, R.L. and Francini-Filho, R.B (2005) (Teleostei: Lutjanidae) from Abrolhos Bank, Reef and shore fishes of the Abrolhos Eastern Brazil. Neotropical Ichthyology, 9:2. Region, Brazil. In: Dutra, G.F., Allen, G.R., Werner, T. and McKenna, A.S. (Org.) A Gathaz, R.; Goitein, R.; Freitas, M.O.; Rapid Marine Biodiversity Assessment of Bornatowsky, H.; Moura, R.L. Diet of the Abrolhos Bank, Bahia, Brazil. Cephalopholis fulva (Perciformes: Washington, DC: RAP Bulletin of Biological Serranidae) in the Abrolhos Bank, Assessment. v. 38, p. 40-55. Northeastern Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Aquatic Science and Technology, In press. Paiva, M.P. and Fonteles-Filho, A.A. (1995) Distribuição e abundância de alguns peixes Torres, R.A.; Feitosa, R.B.; Carvalho, D.C.; bentônicos na área de Abrolhos (Brasil). Freitas, M.O.; Hostim-Silva, M.; Ferreira,

September 2013

28 B.P. DNA barcoding approaches for fishing degree Programa de Pós-Graduação em authentication of exploited grouper species Sistemas Aquáticos Tropicais da including the endangered and legally Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, protected goliath grouper Epinephelus Bahia. itajara. Scientia Marina. In press: doi: 10.3989/scimar.03805.29A Freitas M.O. 2009. Pesca artesanal e biologia reprodutiva do ariocó Lutjanus synagris (Lutjanidae) no Banco dos Abrolhos. Master degree Programa de Pós- PhD Theses, Master degree dissertations Graduação em Sistemas Aquáticos Tropicais and undergraduate course offered by the da Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, project. Ilhéus, Bahia. Pp. 116.

Freitas, M.O. Auto-ecologia de dois Fonseca. J. 2009. Estudo da dieta do serranídeos comercialmente importantes e Lutjanus synagris (linnaeus, 1758) e Ocyurus ameaçados no Banco dos Abrolhos. chrysurus (bloch, 1791), teleostei: Curitiba. PhD in course at Programa de Pós- perciformes: lutjanidae, no Banco dos Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação. Abrolhos, Bahia, Brasil e pesca das Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brasil. principais espécies de lutjanídeos e Finishes on 2014. serranídeos na região. Master degree Costa e Silva, G.H. Reprodução e Instituto de Biociências da Universidade alimentação de Haemulon plumieri no Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Banco dos Abrolhos, Bahia. Master degree Câmpus de Rio Claro. Mestrado em in course Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Biológicas - Zoologia). 159p. Zoologia. Universidade Federal do Paraná, Gathaz, R. 2008. Dieta natural de Brasil. Finishes on 2015. Cephalopholis fulva (linnaeus, 1758) Previero, M. A pesca do budião-azul (Scarus (Perciformes, Serranidae, Epinephelinae), trispinosus) no Banco dos Abrolhos, Bahia. no Banco de Abrolhos – BA. Undergraduate Master degree in course Ecologia de course Instituto de Biociências da 24 Ambientes Aquáticos Continentais) – Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Mesquita Filho” - Câmpus de Rio Claro, para Estadual de Maringá, Maringá. Finishes on obtenção do grau de Bacharel e Licenciado 2014. em Ciências Biológicas. 40p.

Xavier, J. Idade e crescimento de Sparisoma Costa e Silva, G.H. 2008. Hábitos amplum (Perciformes: Scaridae) no Banco alimentares de juvenis de Lutjanus analis dos Abrolhos, Bahia. Master degree in (cuvier, 1828) (Teleostei, Lutjanidae), uma course Ecologia de Ambientes Aquáticos espécie de peixe recifal do Banco de Continentais) – Departamento de Biologia, Abrolhos, Bahia, Brasil. Undergraduate Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá. course Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná. Finishes on 2015. Aschenbrenner, A. 2009. Idade, crescimento e mortalidade do ariocó Lutjanus synagris (linnaeus, 1758) capturado pela frota artesanal no Banco dos Abrolhos. Master

September 2013

29 APPENDIX II

Cassuruba ER Agreement Fishing”, or Acordos de Pescain Portuguese

September 2013

30 Local newspapers with stories about the CLP project and the fishing agreements

September 2013

31 APPENDIX III

Educational Material - Banner

September 2013

Educational Material - T-shirt

Educational Material - Adhesive scale

September 2013

33 Educational Material - Fish drawings

September 2013

38 Educational material - Fish drawings for painting

September 2013